A housing project in the South of France has revealed two giant buildings with maze-like rooms and mosaics inside. is considered a great archaeological treasure.
The surprising discovery occurred when archaeologists surveyed the land intended for a housing project in the city of Nîmes, known as the “Rome of France”. Nîmes is an old city, so the authorities require a survey before building anything new for fear of damaging antiques that may still be buried below.
The excavation area is only a small part of the visitor reception room of one of the two mansions – Photo: INRAP
According to Acient Origins, an archaeological team from France’s National Research Institute for Archaeological Conservation (INRAP) found two Roman townhouses, built around the 1st-2nd centuries AD. The excavation process showed that although they were called “houses”, these two buildings were described as “larger and more labyrinthic than expected”! This may be the residence of very famous and powerful figures.
The excavation has only just begun, but it was enough to reveal a very large visitor reception room in one of the two mansions. The floor is intricately designed with tiles and marble, forming a unique geometric mosaic. Test results showed that the marble slabs were purchased from many different provinces within the Roman Empire, showing the extravagance of the construction. The walls are also covered in red and black plaster with beautiful geometric designs, a favorite decoration of Roman nobility.
It will take quite a while for this unimaginable archaeological treasure to be fully excavated – Photo: INRAP
Nearby, they also discovered a large courtyard with a fountain covered in white marble, and another giant room equipped with an underground water heating system under the floor.
These two giant works are considered great archaeological treasures because every small detail in each building is worthy of a priceless treasure.
Nimes was a particularly important city, having been chosen as the capital of the empire when the Roman Emperor Augustus visited in 16 BC. The whole city is a great archaeological park, attracting many tourists around the world.
Local officials have not yet decided what to do with this new great discovery, but the archaeological work will certainly continue because the two mansions still have countless maze-like rooms waiting to be discovered.
